Heterosexual couples

If you’re about to start fertility treatment you might feel overwhelmed by how much there is to think about. Find out what you can expect with our useful guide to the fertility journey.

Reasons for difficulties conceiving

There are a number of reasons why couples may struggle to conceive. Often it’s simply a question of time – some couples just take a little longer to get there – or improving your lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking or trying to reduce your stress levels. The vast majority of couples will conceive naturally within two years.

For the minority of couples who have a medical reason for being unable to conceive naturally, there are a number of potential causes. These include ovulation disorders, infections, low sperm counts and certain medications and treatments that impact your fertility.

Getting professional help

The first step for most people who are struggling to conceive is their GP. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that couples who have been having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year should be offered further clinical assessment and investigation.

If you have a condition that you know affects your fertility, or you’re a woman over 36, NICE recommends that you’re offered an earlier referral for a specialist consultation.

Saskia's story

"We were thrilled to find we were pregnant when the first blastocyst was put back in but then I miscarried at 9 weeks, which was heart-breaking. When the second didn’t work either I was really shocked."